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Famous People from Louisiana


Tracy Darrell "Trace" Adkins (1962 - ) An American country music singer and actor. His number one songs include, "No Thinkin' Thing," "Ladies Love Country Boys," and "You're Gonna Miss This." Born in Springhill, LA (1246)

Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) An American jazz trumpeter, singer, and an influential figure in jazz music. Nicknamed Satchmo or Pops. Considered by many to one of the best jazz musicians ever. Born in New Orleans, LA (213)

Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock (1915 - 1987) He was the only three-term lieutenant governor in modern Louisiana history. He served from 1960 to 1972. Born in St. Mary Parish, LA (1647)

Daniel Moses Barker (1909 - 1994) A jazz banjoist, singer, guitarist, songwriter, ukelele player and author. Founder of the locally famous Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band. He was a rhythm guitarist for some of the best bands of the day, including Cab Calloway, Lucky Millinder and Benny Carter throughout the 1930s. Born in New Orleans, LA (1646)

Geoffrey Beene (1927 - 2004) Born Samuel Albert Bozeman, Jr. An American Fashion designer who founded Geoffrey Beene Inc. His career spanned over 40 years before he died. Born in Haynesville, LA (216)

Truman Capote (1924 - 1984) Born Truman Streckfus Persons. An American author, screenwriter, playwright and actor. Breakfast at Tiffany's and In Cold Blood are two of his famous works. At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced from his writings. Born in New Orleans, LA (214)

Kitty Carlisle (1910 - 2007) An American singer, actress and spokeswoman for the arts. She is best remembered as a regular panelist on the television game show To Tell the Truth. Born in New Orleans, LA (1645)

Patricia Davies Clarkson (1959 - ) An American actress. She has starred in many films such as The Station Agent, The Green Mile and Pieces of April. She also had a recurring role in the TV drama series Six Feet Under. Born in New Orleans, LA (1247)

Iron Eyes Cody (1904 - 1999) Born Espera Oscar de Corti. An American actor. He was recognized for portraying Native Americans in more than 100 films. In 1995 he was honored by the American Indian community for his portrayals. Born in Kaplan, LA (1640)

Vincent Coleman (1900 - 1971) An American stage and film actor of the silent film era of the late 1910s and early 1920s. Born in , LA (1248)

Harry Connick, Jr. (1967 - ) Born Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. An American singer, actor, composer, and pianist. Some of the films he has been in include Memphis Belle, Independence Day, Hope Floats and P.S. I Love You. He played Dr. Leo Markus on the TV sitcom Will & Grace. Born in New Orleans, LA (1242)

James Houston Davis (1899 - 2000) Better known as Jimmie Davis, was a noted singer of both sacred and popular songs who served two nonconsecutive terms as the 47th Governor of Louisiana (1944-1948 and 1960-1964). Born in Jackson Parish, LA (1245)

Michael DeBakey (1908 - 2008) A world-renowned American cardiac surgeon, innovator, scientist, medical educator, and international medical statesman. He helped with the development of the mobile army surgical hospital. Born in Lake Charles, LA (215)

Ellen Lee DeGeneres (1958 - ) An American comedian, television host, actress, writer, and television producer. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She starred in the movie Mr. Wrong, The Love Letter and was the voice of Dory in Finding Nemo. Born in Metairie, LA (1244)

Catherine Dent (1965 - ) An American actress who has starred in film and in television. Best known for the role of Danielle Sofer in the FX series The Shield. She has appeared in many other movies and TV shows. Born in Baton Rouge, LA (1243)

Antoine "Fats" Domino, Jr. (1928 - ) Pianist, singer, and songwriter. He released 5 gold records before 1955 and had 35 Top 40 American hits. Born in New Orleans, LA (217)



Richard Eastham (1916 - 2005) Born Dickinson Swift Eastham. An American actor of stage, film, and television and a concert singer known for his deep baritone voice. Born in Opelousas, LA (1644)

Bryant Gumbel (1948 - ) An American television journalist and sportscaster. Best known for his 15 years as co-anchor on The Today Show. Born in New Orleans, LA (221)

Buddy Guy (1936 - ) Born George Guy. An American blues guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation. Born in Lettsworth, LA (1643)

Alice Heine (1858 - 1925) Born Marie Alice Heine. Styled HSH The Princess of Monaco, and also The Duchess of Richelieu. The second wife of Prince Albert I of Monaco, a great-grandfather of Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Born in New Orleans, LA (1642)

Al Hirt (1922 - 1999) Born Alois Maxwell Hirt. Famous Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and bandleader. He is best known for his recordings of "Java" and the album Honey in the Horn and for the theme song to The Green Hornet. Born in New Orleans, LA (223)

Jeffrey Hunter (1926 - 1969) Born Henry Herman McKinnies Jr. An American film and television actor and producer. His best known roles are as the sidekick to John Wayne in The Searchers, as Jesus Christ in King of Kings and as Capt. Christopher Pike in the original pilot episode of Star Trek. Born in New Orleans, LA (1641)

Mahalia Jackson (1911 - 1972) An American gospel singer. She was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel." She became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world. Born in New Orleans, LA (219)

John Murice Jackson (1950 - ) An American actor, best known for playing Rear Admiral A. J. Chegwidden on the CBS series JAG. Born in Baton Rouge, LA (1639)

Robert Floyd Kennon, Sr. (1902 - 1988) The 48th Governor of Louisiana, serving from 1952-1956. He served as the chairman of the National Governors Association from 1954 to 1955 and was the chairman of the Council of State Governments in 1955. Born in Minden, LA (1638)

Dorothy Lamour (1914 - 1996) An American actress and singer. She is probably best-remembered for appearing in the Road to... movies, a series of successful comedies co-starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Born in New Orleans, LA (1637)

Jerry Lee Lewis (1935 - ) An American singer-songwriter, musician and pianist. Nickname is The Killer and is often viewed as "rock & roll's first great wild man." He was an early pioneer of rock and roll music. Famous for songs like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire". Born in Ferriday, LA (220)

Karl Malone (1963 - ) A retired American Professional basketball player. Nicknamed "The Mailman." He is considered among the greatest power forwards in NBA history. Born in Summerfield, LA (572)

Cokie Roberts (1943 - ) Born Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs. An American journalist and author. She is a contributing senior news analyst for National Public Radio. Born in New Orleans, LA (218)

Kordell Stewart (1972 - ) Former American football quarterback who played 11 years in the NFL. His nickname was "Slash." He played for the Pittsburg Steelers, the Chicago Bears, and the Baltimore Ravens. Born in Marrero, LA (222)

Lynn Whitfield (1953 - ) An American actress. Whitfield began her acting career in television and theatre, before progressing to supporting roles in film. Born in Baton Rouge, LA (1635)

Reese Witherspoon (1976 - ) Born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. An American actress and film producer. She has starred in many films such as Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, This Means War and Wild. Born in New Orleans, LA (1634)